Textile sealing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus includes a first sealing strip having a base that includes a first set of fastener elements carried on its surface in two spaced-apart areas; and extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element is protruding from said the base. A complimentary second sealing strip also includes a base comprising a second set of fastener elements on its surface in two spaced-apart areas; and extending along the surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element is protruding from the base for non-interlocking engagement of the first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 11/875,823 filed Oct. 19, 2007, and claims thebenefit of priority thereto.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to a sealing apparatus usable intextile applications. More specifically, this application relates to asealing apparatus that can be applied to clothing, hand bags, golf bags,coolers, etc. The sealing apparatus utilizes a combination of hook andloop type separable fastener elements and sealing elements such thatwhen the apparatus is engaged, a water impermeable seal is created.

SUMMARY

Hook and loop style separable fasteners are well known and are used tojoin two members detachably to each other. Described herein is a textilesealing apparatus that combines the functionality of said fasteners witha sealing mechanism such that the apparatus is water impermeable.Application of the disclosed sealing apparatus to textile goods providesa simple waterproof seal, which can be utilized for various items withcloseable openings such as pockets, bags, coolers, etc. The apparatus isof simple construction and can be used anywhere it is it is desirable tohave a simple mechanism of creating a separable water impermeable seal.

In particular, this application discloses a water impermeable sealingapparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: afirst sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surfacewherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elementscarried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas;extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas ofthe first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protrudingfrom said first side of said base; a second sealing strip having a basecomprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includesa second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of saidbase in two spaced-apart areas; and, extending along the first surfaceof the base between the two areas of the second set of fastenerelements, a second sealing element protruding from said first side ofsaid base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing elementwhen the first and second fastener elements are engaged.

This application also discloses a water impermeable sealing apparatususable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: a firstsealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surfacewherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elementscarried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas;extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas ofthe first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protrudingfrom said first side of said base; a second sealing strip having a basecomprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includesa second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of saidbase in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of thebase between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, asecond sealing element protruding from said first side of said base fornon-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the firstand second fastener elements are engaged; wherein at least one of thefirst and second sealing elements are magnetic such that a force ofattraction is generated when the first and second sealing strips arebrought together; and, wherein the base portion of at least one of thesealing strips is water impermeable.

This application further discloses a water impermeable sealing apparatususable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: a firstsealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surfacewherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elementscarried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas;extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas ofthe first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protrudingfrom said first side of said base; a second sealing strip having a basecomprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includesa second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of saidbase in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of thebase between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, asecond sealing element protruding from said first side of said base fornon-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the firstand second fastener elements are engaged; wherein the first sealingelement is made of a compressible material and the second sealingsurface is wedge shaped such that when the first and second sealingstrips are engaged, the wedged surface of the second sealing surfacecompresses the material of the first sealing element thereby creating acontinuous water impermeable seal between the first and second sealingelements; and, wherein the base portion of at least one of the sealingstrips is water impermeable.

This application also discloses a sealing apparatus usable in textileapplications, the apparatus comprising: a first sealing strip having anembedded region embedded with at least one magnet or at least one magnetreactive material; a second sealing strip having an embedded regionembedded with at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactivematerial; wherein a magnetic force of attraction is generated betweenthe first sealing strip and the second sealing strip when the first andsecond sealing strips are brought together, thereby creating a seal.

This application further discloses a sealing apparatus usable in textileapplications, the apparatus comprising: an elastomeric first sealingstrip having an embedded region embedded with at least one magnet or atleast one magnet reactive material; flanged portions to each side of theembedded region and integral with said embedded region; fastenerelements carried on said flanged portions on each side of said embeddedregion, an elastomeric second sealing strip having an embedded regionembedded with at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactivematerial; flanged portions to each side of the embedded region andintegral with said embedded region; fastener elements carried on saidflanged portions on each side of said embedded region; wherein amagnetic force of attraction is generated between the first sealingstrip and the second sealing strip when the first and second sealingstrips are brought together, thereby creating a seal; and, wherein whenthe first sealing strip and the second sealing strips are broughttogether, the fastener elements engage one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the followingdescription, are presented for the purpose of facilitating anunderstanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the textilesealing apparatus shown with the sealing strips separated;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 showing the twosealing strips engaged;

FIGS. 3-5 sequentially illustrate the engagement of the two sealingstrips of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the textilesealing apparatus shown with the sealing strips separated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 6 showing the twosealing strips engaged;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the textilesealing apparatus shown with the sealing strips separated;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 8 showing the twosealing strips engaged;

FIGS. 10-12 sequentially illustrate the engagement of the two sealingstrips of the apparatus in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention,with two sealing strips partly abutting and connected, and partly drawnaway from one another.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the sealing strips of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an end view of two opposed sealing strips according to afurther embodiment of the invention, shown spaced apart from oneanother; and

FIG. 16 is an end view of two opposed sealing strips according to astill further embodiment of the invention, shown spaced apart from oneanother.

FIG. 17 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips according to yetanother embodiment of the invention, shown spaced apart from oneanother.

FIG. 18 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips according to stillanother embodiment of the invention, shown spaced apart from oneanother.

FIG. 19 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips according to anadditional embodiment of the invention, shown spaced apart from oneanother.

FIG. 20 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips according to yetanother additional embodiment of the invention, shown spaced apart fromone another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the textile sealing apparatus10 of the present invention. The device 10 includes a first sealingstrip 12 and a second sealing strip 14, each including a base 16 withfirst 18 and second surfaces 20. The base portion 16 of the firstsealing strip 12 includes a first set of fastener elements 22 carried onthe first surface 18 in two spaced-apart areas. As shown, the firstfastener elements 22 are comprised of loop 24 structures as is common inhook and loop fasteners. The base portion 16 of the second sealing strip14 includes a second set of fastener elements 26 carried on the firstsurface 18 in two spaced-apart areas. The second fastener elements 26are comprised of hook structures 28. It should be appreciated that thehook and loop structures may be located on the opposite strips and beequally effective. Further, besides the hook and loop fastener elementsshown in the figures, many other loop or fiber engaging shapes may beused, such as mushrooms, palm trees, or canted spikes.

Extending along the first surface 18 of the base portions 16, betweenthe two areas of the first 22 and second 26 sets of fastener elements,are first 30 and second 32 sealing elements. The sealing elements arefixably attached and protrude from the base portions 16. And in thefirst embodiment, are comprised of planer magnets 34. The magnets 34 areoriented such that the opposite poles face each other and a force ofattraction is generated when the first 12 and second 14 sealing stripsare brought together. Thus, when the first 12 and second 14 sealingstrips are brought together, the first 22 and second 26 fasteningelements, and more specifically the loop 24 and hook 28 portions, engageeach other and the magnets 34 of the first 30 and second 32 sealingelements engage one another in a non-interlocking manner, such that awater impermeable seal 36 is created. As used herein, the term“non-interlocking” refers to a seal that is distinguishable from a sealthat relies on the complementary pairing of male and female componentssuch as with a “ZIPLOC” or similar interlocking devices. It should beappreciated that the apparatus may also utilize just one magnet on oneof the sealing strips that may engage with a magnet attractive surfaceon the opposite sealing strip and still be effective in creating a seal.

To assist in the water impermeable nature of the apparatus 10, thesealing surface of the magnets are preferably covered with anelastomeric material 38 such as rubber, latex, silicon, or like materialthat is resiliently compressible under a given amount of pressure. Theelastomeric material 38 on the surface of the magnets 38 is at leastpartially compressed when the sealing strips are pressed together duringthe initial sealing of the apparatus 10. The compression is maintaineddue to the fastener elements and sealing elements acting in cooperationwhen the sealing strips are engaged. See FIGS. 3-5. The elastomericmaterial can substantially cover the magnets as shown in FIGS. 1-5,completely cover, or, alternatively, it may be applied to just thesealing surface as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. An additional means toincrease the water impermeable nature of the apparatus 10 is utilize atleast one water impermeable base portion 16. Alternatively, the secondsurface 20 of the base portion 16 may be bound to a water impermeablelayer 40. Suitable water impermeable materials for the base 16 or layer40 are well known in the art and include synthetic polymers.

Regarding the magnets 34 used in the sealing elements, it iscontemplated by the inventors that they could be of various shapes andsizes. For example, cylindrical magnets if covered or encapsulated in anelastomeric material that is molded to create a surface that issubstantially planer would be effective as a sealing element.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, shown therein is an additional embodimentof the textile sealing apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the structuresdescribed above are the same except of the sealing elements. In thisembodiment, the sealing elements are comprised of a resilientcompressible portion 42 and a wedge portion 44. As shown, the resilientcompressible portion 42 extends along the first surface 18 of the baseportion 16 of the first sealing strip 12, and more specifically, betweenthe two areas of the first fastener element 22. Likewise, the wedgeportion 44 extends along the first surface 18 of the base portion 16 ofthe second sealing strip 14, and more specifically, between the twoareas of the second fastener element 26. In this embodiment, the sealingwedged portion 44 is protrudes from the base portion 16. Thus, when thefirst 12 and second 14 sealing strips are brought together, the first 22and second 26 fastening elements engage each other. This in turn causesthe wedged surface 44 of the second sealing surface to compresses theresilient portion 42 of the first sealing element, thereby creating acontinuous water impermeable seal 36 in a non-interlocking manner. Thecompression of the resilient portion 42 and resultant water impermeableseal 36 is maintained due to the fastener elements holding the first 12and second 14 sealing strips together. See FIGS. 10-12. The wedgeportion 44 may be made of a relatively rigid material such as rubber,plastic or other polymer. The compressible portion 42 should besufficiently compressible such that when the wedge portion 44 comes incontact with it during the engagement of the sealing strips, it deformsthe compressible portion 42 to a degree so at to create the waterimpermeable seal 36. Examples of compressible materials include urethanefoam, pliable rubber, and silicon. It will therefore be understood thatreference to elastomeric and polymeric materials will encompass bothessentially inorganic substances as well as organic substances andcombinations of the two.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein magnetic attractionis employed to releasably connect a first elastomeric sealing strip 50to a second elastomeric sealing strip 52. The first elastomeric sealingstrip 50 and the second elastomeric sealing strip 52 collectively form asealing apparatus 54 which, like the previously described sealingapparatuses such as the sealing apparatus 10, may be usable in forexample textile applications.

The nature of the first and second elastomeric sealing strips 50, 52will be made using the sealing strip 50 for illustration. The secondelastomeric sealing strip 52 may be a mirror image of the firstelastomeric sealing strip 50. The first elastomeric sealing strip 50 maycomprise a first embedded region 56 embedded with a plurality of firstmagnets 58, 60 or alternatively with a plurality of first individualpieces of magnetic reactive material. It will be appreciated that ifmagnets are provided in one of the first elastomeric sealing strip 50and the second elastomeric sealing strip 52, then the other need haveonly a magnet reactive material to assure operable magnetic attraction.It does not matter which of the first and second elastomeric sealingstrips 50, 52 has magnets.

The first elastomeric sealing strip 50 comprises a first flanged portion62 connected to and projecting from one side of the embedded region 56and integral therewith, and a second flanged portion 64 connected to andprojecting from the other side of the embedded region 56 and integraltherewith. As depicted herein, projection of the first and secondflanged portions 62, 64 is such that these first and second flangedportions may be (but are not necessarily) coplanar and in mirror imagearrangement. Because of this mirror image relationship, it may be saidthat the first elastomeric sealing strip 50 has a first footprint areawhich would correspond to the plan view that would be observed forexample from above in FIG. 13 if the first elastomeric sealing strip 50were laid out flat and viewed in plan, and the second elastomericsealing strip 52 has a corresponding and similar second footprint areaequal in width to that of the first footprint area.

The first elastomeric sealing strip 50 releasably connects to the secondelastomeric sealing strip 52 when the respective magnetic members, whichmay be magnets or magnetic reactive materials, come into sufficientproximity such that magnetic attraction ensues. The embedded region 56and its counterpart embedded region 66 of the second elastomeric sealingstrip 52 have respective contact surfaces 68, 70, which due to theresilient or compressible nature of their constituent material, formsealing surfaces when the first and second elastomeric sealing strips50, 52 are magnetically adhered to one another.

To this end, each one of the first magnets 58, 60 (or first individualpieces of magnetic reactive material) is located along the firstelastomeric sealing strip 50 such that it comes into mutual magneticattraction with one of the second magnets 72, 74 (or second individualpieces of magnetic reactive material) when the first elastomeric sealingstrip 50 is placed in longitudinal abutment with the second elastomericsealing strip 52, and wherein a magnetic force of attraction isgenerated between the first elastomeric sealing strip 50 and the secondelastomeric sealing strip 52, thereby creating the seal.

FIG. 14 shows an elastomeric sealing strip, such as the elastomericsealing strip 52 isolated from its opposed counterpart. It will be seenthat a flanged portion 76 of the elastomeric sealing strip 52 is taperedsuch that its thickness (represented by the arrow 78 at one illustrativepoint along the flanged portion 76) progressively decreases withincreasing distance from the center of the elastomeric sealing strip 52.The center, for purposes of determining increasing distance from thecenter, is represented by the projection line 80. Increasing distancesto the right and to the left of the projection line are indicated by thearrows 82 and 84. The other flanged portion 86 displays similarcharacteristics albeit in mirror image. Again, recalling that thecorresponding mating elastomeric sealing strip, such as the elastomericsealing strip 50, may be a mirror image, the same characteristics may bepresent.

It should be mentioned at this point that in FIGS. 13 and 14, magnets orthe like, such as the magnets 58, 60, 72, 74 in FIG. 13, which are shownin broken lines, are so shown merely to emphasize that they are embeddedwithin their associated sealing strips, such as the sealing strips 50,52. Because the constituent material of the sealing strips may beopaque, translucent, or transparent, the broken line rendering of thesemagnets or the like should not be taken to support a conclusion thatthey are literally concealed from view in their respective sealingstrips.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein flangedportions 88, 90, 92, 94 of two corresponding, mutually matingelastomeric sealing strips 96, 98 are not tapered. Magnets 100, 102 (orcorresponding magnetic reactive materials) are seen in this end view ofthe elastomeric sealing strips 96 and 98

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein twocorresponding, mutually mating elastomeric sealing strips 110, 112 haverespective embedded regions 114, 116 which are adapted to interfit. Eachembedded region 114 or 116 has a plurality of magnets 118 or 120 (orcorresponding magnetic reactive materials). The embedded region 114 hasa downwardly facing surface 122 (as seen in FIG. 16) which displaysconcavity. The embedded region 116 has a corresponding upwardly facingsurface 124 (as seen in FIG. 16) which displays convexity whichinterfittingly cooperates with the concavity of the embedded region 114.The individual faces of the downwardly facing surface 122 and of theupwardly facing surface 124 are flat or planar, although this may bemodified as desired. As is clearly shown in FIG. 16, each one of themagnets 118 and 120, and of those which are concealed behind the magnets118 and 120, is contained within its respective embedded region 114 or116. Each one of the magnets 118 is centered within the concavity of theelastomeric sealing strip 110, and each one of the magnets 120 and thosemagnets (or magnetic reactive materials) concealed therebehind in theview of FIG. 16 is centered within the convexity of the elastomericsealing strip 112. A centerline 126 is shown for purposes of determiningthese centered relationships.

It may be observed at this point that in the embodiments of FIGS. 13-16,there may be a one-to-one correspondence between each one of the magnetsor individual pieces of magnetic reactive material of one sealing strip,such as the magnets 58 and 60 of the sealing strip 50 of FIG. 13, andeach one of the magnets or second individual pieces of magnetic reactivematerial of the opposed sealing strip, such as the magnets or magneticreactive materials 72, 74 of the sealing strip 52 in FIG. 13. It will beappreciated that one-to-one correspondence maximizes magnetic attractionwhile minimizing the number of embedded magnets or magnetic reactivematerials. However, it would be possible to deviate from this concept.For example, a series of magnets may be provided in one sealing strip,while providing a continuous strip of magnetic reactive material in thecorresponding sealing strip.

FIG. 17 shows that the characteristics of a sealing strip, such as thesealing strip 132, may display the characteristics for example of asealing strip of the embodiments of FIGS. 13-15, while also havingsupplementary fastening elements such as the fastening elements 134 and136 which may for example, have the characteristics of the fasteningelements 22 and 26 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, as well as magnets (ormagnetic reactive materials) 138, 140.

FIG. 18 shows that the characteristics of a sealing strip, such as thesealing strips 150 and 152, may display the characteristics for exampleof a sealing strip of the embodiment of FIG. 16, while also havingsupplementary fastening elements such as the fastening elements 154 and156 which may for example have the characteristics of the fasteningelements 22 and 26 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, as well as magnets (ormagnetic reactive materials) 158, 160. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, thesealing strips 150 and 152 may display the respective concavity andconvexity of the sealing strips 110, 112 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 shows that two complementing sealing strips may havecharacteristics of previously described embodiments, while lackingflanged portions. For example, first and second elastomeric sealingstrips 170, 172 may have respective embedded regions 174, 176 containingmagnets 178, 180, as seen in the embodiment of FIG. 15, but which firstand second elastomeric sealing strips 170, 172 lack flanged portionssuch as the flanged portions 88, 90, 92, 94 of FIG. 15.

In a similar vein, and referring to FIG. 20, two complementing sealingstrips 190, 192 may display concavity and convexity in the manner of theembodiment of FIG. 16, and may essentially duplicate the structuredisclosed for the embodiment of FIG. 16, while lacking flanged portions.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. Forexample, it is further contemplated by the inventors that the additionof multiple fastener elements and sealing elements to a given sealingapparatus would only increase the water impermeability of the apparatus.Thus, a sealing apparatus that increase the number of sealing elementsand/or fastener elements should be treated as an equivalent to theapparatus described above and, therefore; would fall under the broadestinterpretation of the following claims.

1. A sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatuscomprising: a first sealing strip having an embedded region embeddedwith at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactive material; asecond sealing strip having an embedded region embedded with at leastone magnet or at least one magnet reactive material; wherein a magneticforce of attraction is generated between the first sealing strip and thesecond sealing strip when the first and second sealing strips arebrought together, thereby creating a seal.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the first and second sealing strips further comprise flangedportions to each side of the embedded regions.
 3. The apparatus of claim2 wherein the first sealing strips are made of an elastomeric materialand the flanged portions are integral with said embedded regions.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein the flanged portions of said first andsecond sealing elements further comprise fastener elements carried oneach side of said embedded regions, such that when the first sealingstrip and the second sealing strips are brought together, the fastenerelements engage one another.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein thefastener elements comprise hooks and hook-engageable fibers.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second sealing strips aremade of an elastomeric material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe embedded region of one of the first sealing strip and the secondsealing strip displays concavity, and the embedded region of the otherone of the first sealing strip and the second sealing strip displaysconvexity which interfits with the concavity.
 8. A sealing apparatususable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: an elastomericfirst sealing strip having an embedded region embedded with at least onemagnet or at least one magnet reactive material; flanged portions toeach side of the embedded region and integral with said embedded region;fastener elements carried on said flanged portions on each side of saidembedded region, an elastomeric second sealing strip having an embeddedregion embedded with at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactivematerial; flanged portions to each side of the embedded region andintegral with said embedded region; fastener elements carried on saidflanged portions on each side of said embedded region; wherein amagnetic force of attraction is generated between the first sealingstrip and the second sealing strip when the first and second sealingstrips are brought together, thereby creating a seal; and, wherein whenthe first sealing strip and the second sealing strips are broughttogether, the fastener elements engage one another.
 9. A sealingapparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: anfirst elastomeric sealing strip having a first embedded region embeddedwith a plurality of first magnets or with a plurality of firstindividual pieces of magnetic reactive material, and a first flangedportion connected to and projecting from one side of the embedded regionand integral with said embedded region; and a second flanged portionconnected to and projecting from the other side of the embedded regionand integral with said embedded region; a second elastomeric sealingstrip having a second embedded region embedded with a plurality ofsecond magnets or with a plurality of second individual pieces ofmagnetic reactive material, and a third flanged portion connected to andprojecting from one side of the embedded region and integral with saidembedded region, and a fourth flanged portion connected to andprojecting from the other side of the embedded region and integral withsaid embedded region; and wherein each one of the first magnets or firstindividual pieces of magnetic reactive material is located along thefirst sealing strip such that it comes into mutual magnetic attractionwith one of the second magnets or second individual pieces of magneticreactive material when the first elastomeric sealing strip is placed inlongitudinal abutment with the second elastomeric sealing strip, andwherein a magnetic force of attraction is generated between the firstelastomeric sealing strip and the second elastomeric sealing strip,thereby creating a seal.
 10. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe first elastomeric sealing strip has a first footprint area, and thesecond elastomeric sealing strip has a second footprint area equal inwidth to that of the first footprint area.
 11. The sealing apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the first embedded region has concavity, and the secondembedded region has convexity which interfittingly cooperates with theconcavity of the first embedded region.
 12. The sealing apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the first embedded region has flat surfaces at itsconcavity, and the second embedded region has flat surfaces at itsconvexity.
 13. The sealing apparatus of claim 11, wherein each one ofthe first magnets or the first individual pieces of magnet reactivematerial is contained within the first embedded region is centeredwithin the concavity of the first elastomeric sealing strip, and whereineach one of the second magnets or the second individual pieces of magnetreactive material is centered within the convexity of the secondelastomeric sealing strip.
 14. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, whereinthere is one-to-one correspondence between each one of the first magnetsor first individual pieces of magnetic reactive material and each one ofthe second magnets or second individual pieces of magnetic reactivematerial.
 15. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the firstflanged portion is tapered such that its thickness progressivelydecreases with increasing distance from the center of the firstelastomeric sealing strip and the second flanged portion is tapered suchthat its thickness progressively decreases with increasing distance fromthe center of the first elastomeric sealing strip, and the third flangedportion is tapered such that its thickness progressively decreases withincreasing distance from the center of the second elastomeric sealingstrip and the fourth flanged portion is tapered such that its thicknessprogressively decreases with increasing distance from the center of thesecond elastomeric sealing strip.